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Numbers indicate beef movement may be slowed

There are indications that the worst of the drought forced movements of cattle may be slowing down, at least for now, according to Dr. Derrell Peel, OSU livestock economist.

Now realize that Peel is not indicating that the effects of the drought are over, but quite simply that the beef cow slaughter in federal Region 6 has decreased each of the last three weeks. However that rate is still 19 percent above last year in the most recent week that data is available. Beef cow slaughter outside of Region 6 has also been higher than last year since late July, but may be tapering off as well with a smaller increase in the most recent data.

For the year to date, Region 6 slaughter is 24 percent above last year and combined with the rest of the country that has beef cow slaughter down a scant 2 percent, results in a national total year to date beef cow slaughter that is 105 percent of year ago levels.

With the bulk of the seasonal cow culling period coming in November, these totals could grow. However, there is some reason to think that much of the normal culling has already occurred and that seasonal culling will be smaller than usual. In Oklahoma, the auction totals for cows are still above year ago levels as well, but are down significantly from the extremely large volumes of the summer.

Feeder cattle auction totals are currently close to year ago levels but may drop lower, if as expected, some of the normal fall run of calves has already occurred in drought forced early sales.

Peel also indicates that the latest cattle on feed report also shows a more normal pattern of placements without much obvious drought impacts. Total placements were down in Texas, though higher in the lightweight category. In fact, the under-600 pound weight group was the only group with an increase in placements indicating limited supplies of heavy feeder cattle. Overall, placements were even with a year ago and enough to hold cattle on feed totals even with last month at 105 percent of year ago levels.

However, feedlot inventories should begin to drop for the remainder of the year and into next year. The biggest increase in feedlot placements occurred in Nebraska which was comprised of increases in both the lightest and heaviest placement categories. Excellent forage conditions likely means that more big yearlings will be marketed out of the northern plains this fall but overall feeder supplies will be tight.

It’s that time of year again. Leaves are rapidly falling from deciduous trees so it’s a good time to stop and think about options for handling the litter. Although a scattering of leaves won’t harm the lawn, excessive cover prevents sunlight from reaching turfgrass plants. Turf left in this condition for an extended period will be unable to make the carbohydrates needed to carry it through the winter.

There are options for dealing with the fallen leaves other than bagging them up and putting them out for the trash collector. Composting is a great way to handle the refuse. Compost can then be used in the vegetable garden and flowerbeds. If you do not compost, you can mow leaves with a mulching mower and let shredded leaves filter into the turf canopy — a side-discharge mower also will work, but it won’t shred the leaves as thoroughly. This method will be most effective if you do it often enough that leaf litter doesn’t become too thick. Mow while you can still see grass peeking through the leaves.

You may wonder whether this practice will be detrimental to the lawn in the long run. Research at Michigan State University in which they used a mulching mower to shred up to about 1 pound of leaves per square yard of lawn — 1 pound is equal to approximately 6 inches of leaves piled on the grass — for five consecutive years, found no long-term effects of the shredded leaves on turf quality, thatch thickness, organic content of the thatch or soil test results (pH, nutrients, etc.).

If you mow leaves and have a cool-season lawn, it makes sense to be on a fall nitrogen fertilization program and core-aerate in the fall (things you should likely be doing anyway). If you have a warm-season lawn, you can still use this technique but wait to fertilize and core-aerate until next May.